Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Onigilly – San Francisco
Onigilly - San Francisco
Photo from Onigilly
Onigilly at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 73 of the guests
#804 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#75 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
288
Reviews
78.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh, delicious
- Affordable, value
- Efficient, friendly
Frequently criticized
- Raw chicken
- Rude staff
- No seating
The restaurant Onigilly, a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood, offers you a truly authentic and casual dining experience. You’ll find delicious Onigilly Japanese Rice Balls – San Francisco (Kearny) perfect for a quick bite, featuring healthy and vegetarian options.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner, this spot provides a trendy yet relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy.
Overview: Introducting Onigilly
Onigilly offers a compelling experience with its well-regarded culinary creations, often praised for their fresh ingredients and satisfying nature. Many appreciate the affordable pricing, making it a convenient choice for a quick meal.
However, the dining experience can be inconsistent, with some customers encountering rude employees and issues with kiosk ordering. The lack of dedicated seating also means it’s more of a grab-and-go spot than a sit-down restaurant.
Good
7.8
out of 10
288
Reviews
78.8%
Satisfaction
41
negative
20
neutral
227
positive
Onigilly achieves a solid overall score of 7.8, reflecting a generally positive customer experience, with Customer Satisfaction at a strong 78.8%. This indicates that most patrons leave content.
The high marks are largely driven by the exceptional Food (8.2), which consistently receives praise for its quality and variety. This positive sentiment is evident across 227 positive opinions out of 288 total.
The restaurant also performs well in Value (8.2), offering satisfying options at reasonable prices. However, the Service (7.2) presents a more mixed picture, with some customers noting efficiency while others report less positive interactions.
The Ambience (6) is where the experience dips slightly, often described as lacking seating or being somewhat dim, contributing to 41 negative opinions.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Affordable, good value
- Efficient, friendly service
What people don't like
- Raw chicken concerns
- Rude, unhelpful staff
- No indoor seating
Onigilly is a solid choice if you’re seeking a quick, satisfying meal with fresh ingredients at a reasonable price. With a Recommendation Score of 8, it generally delivers on its promise of tasty food, especially for those looking for convenient Japanese-inspired options.
However, be prepared for a grab-and-go experience, as seating is limited, and service can be inconsistent. While the food is often praised, some serious concerns about quality control have been raised.
It’s worth trying for the food, but manage expectations regarding the overall dining environment.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Japanese Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
315
97.1%
- $$$
- North of Panhandle
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.2
out of 10
out of 10
119
99.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
472
94.9%
- $$
- Polk Gulch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
242
95%
- $$$
- Hayes Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
173
94.2%
- $$
- Outer Richmond
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Japanese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
690
92.9%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Onigilly
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are generally quite pleased, with a strong 8.2 score and 87.6% customer satisfaction. Based on 163 positive remarks out of 186 total, many rave about the freshness of ingredients, the excellent vegan options, and the overall quality food. Plus, portion sizes often hit the mark, making for a satisfying meal.
However, not every experience is perfect. Out of 186 comments, 15 did point out some concerns. A few diners encountered issues like raw chicken and soggy rice, while others found the salmon a bit fishy or felt there was too much rice in their onigiri.
These seem to be isolated incidents, but worth noting.
Food
186
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
15
negative
8
neutral
163
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Excellent vegan options
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Raw chicken concerns
- Inconsistent rice texture
Often praised
- foodThey have incredible vegan options with real flavors, including teriyaki tofu, shiitake mushrooms, plum, and eggplant. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5. The vegetarian offerings are extensive, and I highly recommend it for vegetarians.
- onigiriThe onigiri here is different from what you'll find elsewhere, and it's still delicious
- fillingI was able to get a pretty tasty and nutritious meal here for fast food prices. They put a lot more filling in their onigiri than traditional Japanese ones, which I found to be a good thing. The poke options had pretty fresh-tasting fish, and the other varieties had a really good balance of flavors.
- snow crabHighly recommend the snow crab
- FoodFood is satisfying every time!
- Onigilly SetRecommended dishes:Onigilly Set
- chicken karaageThe chicken karaage however was really good
- ingredientsthe ingredients were fresh and yummy
- karaagekaraage is also delicious, perfectly crispy and well-seasoned
- lunchI love this place. I miss working downtown and stopping by for a quick and healthy lunch. I'm glad they deliver.
Frequently criticized
- raw chickenI will absolutely never go to this restaurant again. I've also seen other reviews mentioning completely raw chicken, indicating a severe lack of proper worker training. I'm giving this place 1 star only because it's the minimum required.
- Kaarage chickenKaarage chicken was raw. Like not a little but like a lot. Pink.
- chicken piecethe chicken piece being overly cooked
- containercontainer they gave me was a bit damp on the bottom
- dressingThe flavors in my meal went really well together, and this experience made me discover that I like takuan! My only wish is that there was more dressing with the rice bowl, since half of it was salad.
- foodeverything i ordered sucked
- food poisoninglearned it was food poisoning
- kori tunawasn't a fan of the kori tuna
- ongiriI absolutely love ongiri!!!
- onigirithe onigiri had too much rice
If you're looking for fresh, satisfying Japanese-inspired food with plenty of healthy and vegan choices, this spot is definitely worth a try. While there have been a few concerning reports about food quality, the overwhelming majority of experiences are positive, especially for a quick and tasty meal.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
Overall, the service here generally lands in the good category, with a score of 7.2. Many of the 60 customer opinions praise the fast service and efficient and fast ordering, often through kiosks, making for a convenient and quick experience. Customers frequently mention friendly helpful staff and appreciate how quickly their orders are prepared.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 63.3%, indicating some areas for improvement. There are 14 negative comments, with some customers encountering rude employee behavior, feeling ignored by staff, or experiencing frustrating waiting time when trying to customize orders or get assistance.
Service
60
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
14
negative
8
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
- Efficient ordering
What people don't like
- Rude employees
- Ignored by staff
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceIt's not really a place to sit down and savor your meal. The food was delicious, fresh, and served fast. I especially LOVED the binto boxes!
- deliverydelivery is super quick
- Friendly helpful staffFriendly helpful staff
- ServiceService:5
- convenientConvenient
- customer serviceCustomer service is excellent
- efficient and fastkiosk ordering is efficient and fast
- employeesEmployees were nice
- experienceAlways a great experience
- extended operating hoursdue to its extended operating hours
Frequently criticized
- bad attitudethe bad attitude, general rudeness, kiosk ordering, and a weirdly dark interior turned me off.
- callbackunfortunately, I haven't received a callback yet
- customer servicetried reaching out to their customer service by phone
- customize ordersI tried to order here because it's the only rice triangle shop in the area. Unfortunately, you are unable to customize your orders and unable to pay cash. To make matters worse, I was ignored by staff for over 15 minutes while waiting to talk to someone.
- ignored by staffUnfortunately, you are unable to customize your orders and unable to pay cash. To make matters worse, I was ignored by staff for over 15 minutes while waiting to talk to someone. I would recommend going someplace else where they'll treat you like a human being.
- kiosk orderingkiosk ordering, and a weirdly dark interior turned me off.
- phoneHe was very into whatever was on his phone.
- rude employeeVery rude employee working today.
- rude employeesadd in rude employees and it’s not worth it.
- serviceservice was given with unfriendly faces and terrible attitudes
If you're looking for a quick, efficient meal with generally fast service, this place is worth a try. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience if you need custom orders or direct staff interaction, as some customers have faced issues.
Ambience (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, scoring an average 6, with customer satisfaction sitting at a rather mixed 44%. Many appreciate the overall Atmosphere and cleanliness, finding it a cozy atmosphere thats "pleasant to eat" in, especially with its convenient "walk from Union Square. " These positive sentiments come from 11 positive remarks out of 25 total comments.
However, there are some notable drawbacks, highlighted by 10 negative comments. Many wish for a proper "dining area" or "indoor dining, " as the lack of "seating space" means you often cant eat inside. Some also found the dark interior a bit off-putting, and parking space can be a real challenge.
Ambience
25
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
10
negative
4
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, cozy atmosphere
- Pleasant outdoor eating
- Convenient walk
What people don't like
- No indoor seating
- Difficult parking
- Dark interior
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere is a 5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- cleanlinessClean, cozy and tasty!
- cozy atmosphereClean, cozy and tasty!
- pleasant to eatSt. Mary's square is right around the corner if you want somewhere pleasant to eat.
- walk from Union SquareNot a bad walk from the south part of Union Square
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- atmosphereit's dimly lit
- dark interiora weirdly dark interior turned me off.
- dining areaThe vegetarian offerings were also a highlight, being clearly labeled vegetarian dishes and earning a highly recommend for vegetarians. While the food was excellent, I only wish they had a dining area. The atmosphere received a score of 4, suggesting it was good but not perfect.
- eat insideThe tuna and salmon Onigiri are absolutely delicious. You're not able to eat inside however, which is a pity. Nevertheless, 5 stars for the amazing food!
- indoor diningalthough no indoor dining
- indoor or outdoor tablesappreciate if they brought indoor or outdoor tables back
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- seatingthere is no seating
- seating spacedoes not have seating space
If youre looking for a quick bite to grab and go, or enjoy eating outdoors near St. Marys Square, this place could be a cozy option. However, if you're hoping for a sit-down meal with indoor seating or easy parking, you might find yourself a bit disappointed.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 88.2%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a great deal. Based on 15 positive remarks, many rave about the price, cost-benefit, and how affordable everything is, often calling it worth it and a steal for the quality and portion sizes.
However, its not entirely without its quirks, as 2 negative comments point out. A couple of experiences mention issues like being unable to pay cash and feeling like they paid for nothing' due to service problems. While these are isolated incidents, they highlight potential payment inconveniences that could impact your visit.
Value
17
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Excellent value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- No cash payment
- Paid for nothing
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be convenient and offering a great price. Each onigiri was incredibly tasty, and I was impressed by the tons of options available.
- pricesprices are super reasonable
- affordableFood is affordable and filling.
- cost-benefitOn the bright side, in terms of cost-benefit, the servers are very friendly, and the ramen is tasty. The atmosphere was rated a 3, and the food a 4.
- fast food pricesMy experience at this restaurant was really good, especially considering the prices. I was able to get a pretty tasty and nutritious meal here for fast food prices. They put a lot more filling in their onigiri than traditional Japanese ones, which I found to be a good thing.
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- priced wellThe tempura purple yams were also delightful! The portion sizes were perfect and the items were priced well. I've already visited twice and plan on visiting again before I head home.
- worth itworth it!
Frequently criticized
- paid for nothingI basically paid for nothing
- pay cashI tried to order here because it's the only rice triangle shop in the area. Unfortunately, you are unable to customize your orders and unable to pay cash. To make matters worse, I was ignored by staff for over 15 minutes while waiting to talk to someone.
If youre looking for a meal thats easy on the wallet and genuinely satisfying, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential payment method limitations, as cash might not always be an option. Overall, it offers fantastic bang for your buck!
How are the prices at Onigilly?
You’re looking at roughly 19 $ per person – reported by 73 diners. That puts it squarely in the $11–$20 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests stick to that $11–$20 sweet spot, though there are also some great options for under 10 $ and a few higher-end choices if you’re feeling fancy.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 73 reviews.
Comparing this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Japanese spot in San Francisco. You’re getting good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Onigilly
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Quick & Quality Meal
Bueno bueno bueno. It was perfect for grabbing a quick bite but with quality food and fast service. You order from one of the tablets.
Parking is available on the street.
- quick bite9
- quality food10
- fast service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
9
Zen Bowls and Meat Complete Bowls a Hit!
My staff and students really enjoyed the Zen Bowls and the Meat Complete Bowls. These were definitely a hit.
- Zen Bowls9
- Meat Complete Bowls9
- These10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Rude Service and Unpleasant Experience
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative due to the rude employee. An older couple in front of me struggled with the kiosks, and the employee responded with unintelligible grunts, clearly more interested in his phone. This added to the already unpleasant experience of ordering from a machine.
The combination of rude employees, kiosk ordering, and a weirdly dark interior made it not worth it. This was supposed to be my first time dining here, but the bad attitude and general rudeness, along with the ordering system and atmosphere, turned me off, and I left.
- rude employee1
- phone2
- rude employees1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Friendly Servers, Tasty Ramen, Good Value
On the bright side, in terms of cost-benefit, the servers are very friendly, and the ramen is tasty. The atmosphere was rated a 3, and the food a 4. The price per person is between $10–20, and there was no wait time.
- servers9
- ramen8
- cost-benefit8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Fave Onigiri Spot Near Union Square!
I'm just in town for a conference for a few days and I've found my new favorite go-to spot for onigiri! The unagi was especially yummy, and I really enjoyed their wakame salad. The tempura purple yams were also delightful!
The portion sizes were perfect and the items were priced well. I've already visited twice and plan on visiting again before I head home. It's not a bad walk from the south part of Union Square, and it's definitely worth it!
- unagi9
- wakame salad8
- tempura purple yams8
What Onigilly offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dietary options are available at Onigilly Japanese Rice Balls - San Francisco (Kearny)?
At Onigilly Japanese Rice Balls – San Francisco (Kearny), you’ll find a variety of choices to suit your dietary needs. They proudly offer both vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone. Plus, many items are considered healthy options, perfect for a mindful meal.
What service and dining options does Onigilly Japanese Rice Balls - San Francisco (Kearny) provide?
You can enjoy your meal at Onigilly Japanese Rice Balls – San Francisco (Kearny) with flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For dining, they serve lunch and dinner, and even offer catering. There’s also a kids’ menu available, making it a great spot for families.
What are the main strengths of Onigilly?
Customers frequently praise Onigilly for its delicious and fresh food, often highlighting the variety of options and generous fillings. The restaurant is also noted for its affordable pricing, offering good value for a quick meal.
How does Onigilly perform overall, and what are its key areas?
Onigilly holds a good overall score of 7.8, with Customer Satisfaction at 78.8%. Its strongest areas are Food (8.2) and Value (8.2). Service (7.2) is generally good but has some inconsistencies, while Ambience (6) is considered average, mainly due to limited seating.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Onigilly?
Some customers have reported issues with service, including rude staff and difficulties with kiosk ordering. There are also notable concerns regarding food quality control, specifically mentions of raw chicken, and the general lack of indoor seating.